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EU encourages CCM-CUF talks
2007-08-17 09:07:28
By Guardian Reporter
The European Union has pledged continued support for the stalled talks between the ruling CCM and opposition Civil United Front in a quest to enhance durable peace in the Isles.
`I appeal to the interested parties in the negotiations to make their goals public,` said Ambassador of Belgium for the European Union Presidency, Peter Maddens, in an official statement.
He said the European Union Mission in Dar es Salaam had been closely following public pronouncements with regard to the ongoing `Muafaka` discussions between CCM and CUF.
According to the statement, although remarks by CUF leaders show how profoundly the party`s concern is with regard to the future chances of success, President Kikwete`s statement of August 14 was heartening.
President Jakaya Kikwete on Tuesday issued a statement saying the stalled talks between his ruling CCM and the opposition Civic United Front on the political situation in Zanzibar would come to an amicable conclusion.
`There are no political or social differences in the country that cannot be solved by us through discussion,` part of the statement issued by the envoy reads.
The Ambassador called for political willingness amongst members of the two political parties and prioritization of controversial issues in the talks for the national interest.
`The EU encourages Zanzibaris to overcome the historical absence of trust between the political parties, and to contribute together to the national interest. This includes the eradication of poverty, improving public services, more investments, and creation of jobs,` the envoy said.
`EU remains Tanzania`s largest collective donor,` he added.
Meawhile, a university don has called for a neutral mediator in the Zanzibar political conflict.
In an interview with The Guardian in Dar es Salaam, Dr. Benson Bana of the Department of Political Science of the University of Dar es Salaam said there were a number of experts who could fast track the dialogue.
Such experts can include religious leaders, former leaders, and judges, he said.
`It is a complex issue because there are only two conflicting sides that are trying to settle the dispute. Every side, unfortunately, is sticking to its position,` said Dr. Bana.
He said there was no need to involve external supervisors in the conflict because Tanzania had demonstrated the ability to solve its problems without seeking foreign mediators.
The political crisis in Zanzibar has a historical dimension, which can aptly be solved on the basis of win-win, lose-lose, win-lose or lose-win.
In the present circumstances, he said, none of the two sides will accept losing in the dialogue because the focus for both is win-win.
In his view, Dr. Bana said it was important to set a time frame when discussing the matter, and that the dialogue led by the respective party secretaries-general -Yusuf Makamba and Seif Shariff - was not effective because the two have no final say.
Dr. Mohamed Bakari of the University of Dar es Salaam, on the other hand, underscored the need for a coalition government in Zanzibar on account of the Isle`s political history.
He said CCM did not show seriousness in arriving at an amicable solution to the impasse, that`s why problems were piling up instead of being resolved.
He said the government should settle the problem to avoid political upheavals which would affect ordinary people, and that it was wrong to hear and depend upon foreigners who would always serve their interests.
Hassan Kuambiana of Kijitonyama in Dar es Salaam said there was need for the two parties not to threaten each other while dialogue was going on, because there was no body who was after violence.
Vedastus Athanas living at Kijitonyama alleged that CCM and its Government tended to use political acrobats in that dialogue.
Meanwhile, the opposition Civic United Front has insisted that their scheduled meeting on Saturday will take place despite the statement issued by President Kikwete.
The meeting will involve various stakeholders from civil society organizations, religious groups, academicians and well wishers.
`The statement issued by the President will help us set our way forward and tell the people our stance,`said Wilfred Lwakatare, the CUF Deputy Secretary General.
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